Centre moves 20 Bengal poll-deployed CRPF companies from Kolkata to Delhi amid CJP protests

The Centre has ordered the deployment of 20 additional companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to Delhi, with personnel being airlifted from Kolkata, as security is stepped up amid the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests, demonstrations by political parties and the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

According to official sources, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued the deployment order on Tuesday night. Soon after, the CRPF began airlifting personnel from Kolkata to the national capital to reinforce the existing security arrangements. 

Officials said the additional deployment has been necessitated following repeated clashes and law and order concerns during the recent wave of CJP protests.

The forces will be stationed across key locations in Delhi to assist the Delhi Police in maintaining public order.

The 20 CRPF companies were earlier deployed in West Bengal for the Assembly elections held this year.

They continued to remain in the state after the polls at the request of the West Bengal government. Each CRPF company comprises around 100 personnel.

The latest reinforcement comes over and above nearly 30 companies of the CRPF and its specialised anti-riot wing, the Rapid Action Force (RAF), which have already been deployed in Delhi by the Centre.

The additional forces are expected to strengthen security arrangements during the ongoing CJP protests and the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which began on July 20.